Christian M. Toth

Christian Toth brings a court‑centered perspective to trusts and estates matters, informed by substantial experience inside one of the nation’s busiest Surrogate’s Courts. Before joining Offit Kurman, Christian served as a law clerk to the Honorable Rita Mella in the New York County Surrogate’s Court, where he worked closely with the Court on a broad range of probate and estate administration issues.

During nearly three years with the Court, Christian reviewed and processed a significant volume of probate filings, gaining firsthand exposure to a wide variety of testamentary instruments and estate plans. His work involved wills and trust documents spanning more than a century, including historic instruments drafted in the nineteenth century as well as modern estate plans raising emerging issues related to digital assets and artificial intelligence. This experience provided him with practical insight into the lifecycle of estate matters and the internal workings of multiple court departments, positioning him to anticipate procedural issues and address them efficiently.

While serving the Court, Christian also earned certification as Mediation Trained Court Staff, further strengthening his ability to evaluate disputes, facilitate productive dialogue, and support the resolution of contested matters in a thoughtful and measured way. His background enables him to approach estate and trust disputes with a balanced understanding of both litigation strategy and alternative dispute resolution.

Earlier in his legal training, Christian volunteered with Mobilization for Justice and served as a student attorney in the Disability and Aging Justice Clinic at CUNY School of Law. In this role, he assisted attorneys and clients with a range of matters affecting older adults and individuals with disabilities, including apartment succession issues and guardianship proceedings. These experiences reinforced his commitment to client focused advocacy, particularly for vulnerable populations navigating complex legal systems.

Before entering the legal profession, Christian worked in publishing and advertising, serving as a vice-president at an agency that represented book publishers. That professional background contributes to his strong writing skills, attention to detail, and appreciation for clear, effective communication.

Outside of his practice, Christian is an avid reader and enjoys exploring Manhattan by bicycle. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, their teenage daughter, and their cat.